Book Opener

Law EditorIn a democracy, laws must be effectively communicatedto citizens. To do so, legislatures have created rigoroussystems for reporting official versions of the law. The lawsare then published so they can be used by lawyers andother citizens. Andrea Hansen helps make sure thoseofficial versions are correctly published in books and online, and that they areavailable for reference.Hansen works as a senior editor for West Group, a law publisher headquarteredin Eagan, Minnesota. She is an attorney, although not all editors at theprominent publishing house have law degrees. Hansen works specifically on thelaws created by the Missouri legislature—statutes known as the Missouri Code.“After laws are passed by the legislature, they are written up and approvedby the governor’s office,” she says. “We then publish them online and in books.A lot of my job is writing the historical and statutory notes that provide extrabackground information for lawyers.”The information Hansen provides is very important. She carefully studies thenew law, compares it to the old, and then highlights important changes solawyers, judges, scholars, and other citizens know what the law truly is. Hansenalso informs readers of the date when a law takes effect.What if legislators seem to pass laws that contradict one another? “Well, thenwe publish both versions and let the courts figure it out,” Hansen says.SkillsPersonalityEducationReading, writing, teamwork, computerDetail oriented, able to focus, comfortable doing the samething for several months, able to meet deadlinesAt least a high school diploma, many with college andlaw degreesFor more information on editing and on state and federal codes, visitwww.westgroup.com, ubpl.glencoe.com, or your public library.the state to sell stock to the public. These subscriptions are similar to anyother contract to sell, and the subscribers don’t become stockholdersuntil the organization is completed and stock certificates are issued tothem. The corporation may continue to sell shares after its incorporationis complete, up to the number of shares authorized in its articles ofincorporation. Like any other form of personal property, stocks may betransferred or assigned.Chapter 28: Forming and Financing a Corporation 615